The legal assistance for victims (LAV) grant (LAV) program, authorized by 34 U.S.C. § 20121, increases the availability of civil and criminal legal assistance for adult and youth victims of domestic…

The Department of Justice Offices Boards and Divisions Office on Violence Against Women awarded a $600,000 Project Grant to Community Legal Aid Services I, doing business as Western Reserve Legal Services, under the Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) program (CFDA 16.524).

The three-year award will support the expansion and establishment of comprehensive direct legal services to adult and youth victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in matters relating to or arising from the abuse. Services will include assistance with family law, housing, immigration, employment, campus administrative matters, and protection/stay away orders. The funding will also support legal representation relating to criminal justice investigations, prosecutions, and post-trial matters impacting victim safety and privacy being handled by the grantee in Akron, Ohio through September 2025.

The legal assistance for victims (LAV) grant (LAV) program, authorized by 34 U.S.C. § 20121, increases the availability of civil and criminal legal assistance for adult and youth victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking by providing funds for comprehensive direct legal services to victims in legal matters relating to or arising out of that abuse or violence. "legal assistance" includes assistance in: a) family, tribal, territorial, immigration, employment, administrative agency, housing matters, campus administrative, or protection or stay away order proceedings, and other similar matters; and B) criminal justice investigations, prosecutions, and post-trial matters (e.g., sentencing, parole, and probation) that impact the victim's safety and privacy. LAV funds projects that implement, expand, and/or establish this comprehensive legal assistance through (1) collaborations between legal assistance providers and domestic violence, dating violence, and sexual assault victim service providers; (2) efforts by organizations with a demonstrated history of providing direct legal or advocacy services on behalf of victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; or (3) competent supervised pro bono legal assistance. Grantees must either demonstrate expertise on domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking, or partner with an organization that has such expertise. The timing for performance of this award is 36 months.